How about a war?

Age : 33 Posts : 254

Quote :: There's a difference between getting your ass kicked in a friendly match and your comrades dying left and right, whilst you cower in fear, paralysed and too weak to do anything to save them.

~That's why I suggested the tournament instead, so many characters already have the dramatic back story or war torn history. It's a tired concept, whereas the tournament is basically the same thing without this drama ridden side. I've never seen an INRPG war work because people get tired of them, why? There's a lot of reasons, one of them being because it's so hard to actually do anything depending on one's rank. The other is depending on entire villages of people to post, which is an event in itself. If the war's a voluntary thing then it might work because those who want in can be, but unlike a competitive fight there's going to be a cost so that doesn't work either, since you'd want the entire village to work together regardless. I just have no faith in the concept of a war working, apart from my own disliking of 'forum wars'.

However I am more interested in things apart from a tournament, such as what Wildfire is suggesting above (You should care what others think Wildfire, because I like the concepts you listed a hell of a lot). The Tournament idea was just my personal 2 cents alternative for those who wanna fight.

Posts : 471

I was actually thinking about writing a topic about this sort of idea. I noticed right away that there isn't really an active site-wide plot, or much of anyone to go off of. In my opinion, there needs to be something that drives the characters forward, and like Chris said -

Chris wrote:: The Monthly Objective is a good idea, but we need something physical to get behind. Wars offer a lot of character development, future and immediate, encourage posting and encourage activity, since any member can make a crucial difference to the result. There's only so many topics we can suffer through during peace-time :/

I really agree with him. There's only so many socials and missions you can do and maybe some character development, but I think it's the "big" things that happen that can really make the difference. Whether it's a war, tournament, a big baddy coming to town (just as long as it's not dumb) I'll get behind it right away.

ShykeWolfe wrote:: Why do ideas for a plot in Naruto always get directed towards war? Why do people think war is the only interesting site-wide event available when it comes to an IC point? I'd love to see something different, maybe we could pull off something where the villages face off in a tournament? It'd make me very happy to see alternatives to another war based in the Naruto universe, but if I'm the only one who feels this way then I understand. ;o

Honestly, this also reminds me of the current Fairy Tail tournament happening and I wouldn't be against it, only if it means more then five members per village would participate. It's a tough call though, but all of these need to be considered, but staff also needs to make sure it's something that hasn't really been done before (or just not often) or too mediocre that it gets boring quickly.

Also, I think Wildfire has a few good ideas as well which should be considered (seeing as I was about to post but she posted ahead of me). Either way, I just want to be able to use this GIF at some point (8

Spoiler:

Age : 29 Posts : 3640

Thanks for both supporting my ideas guys, but I was half-expecting them to be shot down... xD Hence why I said that I wasn't bothered what people thought about them.

Age : 49 Posts : 1036

War has the whole problem of people going inactive without notice and can drag on so long that people simply lose interest. Then there are the population and activity issues. And the last large scale even here... eh that hasn't done so well. It started sometime last year I think and we're STILL waiting for the first half to finish. Something involving even more people, well I could see that easily taking months just to get past the declaration phase and interest dying out well before anything serious actually happened.

Tournament/ chuunin exam - pretty much the same thing. Granted not everyone entering HAS to pass and its possible that no one could pass. Especially if the judges are played up as biased. Still there are issues of getting people interested and maintaining that interest to keep them posting as well dealing with people who go inactive at a point where it holds up the entire event.

Personally I think Young had the best idea. A "cold" war played out in the minor countries. The villages are (at least in theory) jockeying for revenue from missions and power yet the situation is such that no one wants to the one to get into a war and end up getting dog piled by the neutrals. In that sense a war-by-proxy would be almost unavoidable as each power tries to better their position without using too much strength or being drawn into a full-scale war. Game-wise that kind of conflict wouldn't require as much work as the other two. Create a set of generic missions that have two sides, require at least 2 people (each from a different village) sign on before approval. Examples could include one side hunting down bandits being supplied/ lead by the other, eliminating/ protecting corrupt officials selling information to a village, etc.

Of course this runs into the whole "no one wants to fail and invalidated their work" problem I and others have pointed out before, and since only one side can win (although both could fail) there needs to be some reward to trying but failing. In this case that being, win or lose, both sides get their full points on evaluation. Calm down, I know it goes against site rules but hear me out before screaming your heads off. The incentive for people to win (beyond bragging rights) in this case being that at some point, the number of missions successfully completed is tallied up. The group (specific village, organization, or missing-nin in general) who has the greatest number of successful missions in that tally getting some sort of bonus such as one jutsu at reduced cost or not requiring a training post on their next SC. Something other than raw xp or funds that in the grand scheme is small but still tempting.

At least that is my suggestion.

Age : 30 Posts : 1236

So............................

Like a conquest?

Age : 29 Posts : 766

Dan wrote:: So............................

Like a conquest?

That's essentially what happened before. The situation is hardly different from before. I put that link in my first post here for a reason.

Age : 36 Posts : 1004

We could have a war and let the mods pit who fight who....if someone goes inactive then they lose their bout...they don't have to die but just be knock out...each win and loss could mean a different turn of events and overall outcome...this not ACTUALLY meaning every fight will change something but a select few will and the could be like EPIC battles or something...however the people that do lose won't be apart of the next part of the war...this could keep going until someone wins or their is a stalemate....Yea sounds difficult but I'm sure it can be pulled off

Age : 49 Posts : 1036

Dan wrote:: So............................

Like a conquest?

Maybe but as I see it not quite. Conquest implies a level of control and permanent gains and reading over that section it sounded like that was the results. What I'm thinking about it doesn't really have tangible gains like land or resources, or even puppet governments. Its a bit hard to explain if you haven't done some digging into the concepts behind the Cold War, but instead of territory you're basically trying to make your village look stronger and the other guys weaker so your diplomats have more influence with the various neutrals. Why? Because you're hoping that the other guy will think they're more likely to back you (the stronger power) in the event of a shooting war so he won't start anything. In this sort of conflict you don't want to conquer anything because there is a risk that others may think they're your next target and band together.

I guess one could say the means are similar but the difference is the desired outcome. Under the conquest system you want Leighton linked the competitors are trying to exert a level of direct control over the territory. My idea is more about influencing the future decisions of that territories leaders.

Posts : 1729

Apocalypse.

Let's say some sort of Corruption springs up; a virulent form of Sophie's character's affliction, a less horrific form of the Crossed disease. The main point is that it spreads, and it radically alters the behavior of those infected, though not to a "you're infected you're screwed" level; just over time, it becomes harder and harder to quell those vicious urges. Multiple lesser villages are overrun completely, and several countries are basically swarming with them.

Most out-of-village missions tend to become based around armed escorts, culling the population of the "infected." But wait, there's more!

A set of specialized NPCs of various ranks are crafted. They're fairly general, fairly basic, encompassing a limited range of specialties (Nothing advanced like puppetry, fuinjutsu, eijutsu.) These are basically made to be "Open NPCs," which is to say, other players can take up and act as these NPCs at will, crashing into any out-of-village topics (With, of course, limitations on what rank NPC can be brought into what sort of topic, varying on the number and rank of the PC members in-topic; one lone genin, one C-rank infected, two genin, 2 C-rank infected or 1 B-rank, you get the idea).

Players have the added challenge of dealing with what are basically ninja-zombies while out in the field, and other players can run the gauntlet as these infected NPCs to earn funds (NOT exp or MP) for their own characters. The overall world plot-line becomes based around either finding a cure for or eradicating these infected.

So basically, a ninja-zombie apocalypse.

Age : 32 Posts : 1495

I actually loved the Cold War idea but isn't it kinda happening all the time already? Although it would still be awesome if during the Kage conference some Kages would start something of a Cold War.

As for the zombies, it's awesome, really, but imagine people who think "Godamn zombies everywhere...Now they're in my US, it's just the matter of time until they get to my cereal.Better go inactive."

Age : 33 Posts : 254

Plus an Apocalypse would sort of alienate the majority of Naruto rp'ers who are new to the site.

Age : 32 Posts : 683

Posts : 1729

Not technically zombies, in the "living undead" sense. More like just people who, due to a corruptive disease, are suddenly very, very evil, and very murderous. At any rate, it's just a general idea to be discussed and hashed out. It gives a common enemy, a goal, and a way for ALL members to participate.

Age : 29 Posts : 3145

Hmmm I think as much fun as it sounds, your idea is just... too much xD It's great to be original and think outside of the box, but mixing zombie-like elements with Naruto is bound to fail. Plus I'm quite doubtful that we can all match Sophie's standard of evil >.O

Posts : 1729

Bonus points if Sophie's character is the only one with the medical know-how and actual experience with such malignant corruption to actually stand a chance of finding a "cure."

Posts : 12

Mors Atra wrote:: Bunnycalypse.

Let's say some sort of Bunny invasion springs up; a virulent form of Sophie's character's affliction, a less horrific form of the Crossed disease. The main point is that it spreads, and it radically alters the behavior of those infected by the cuteness of the bunnies, though not to a "you're infected you're screwed" level; just over time, it becomes harder and harder to quell those vicious urges to squeeze and huggle those little puffy creatures. Multiple lesser villages are overrun completely, and several countries are basically swarming with bunnies.

Most out-of-village missions tend to become based around armed escorts, since the bunnies tend to get aggressive. But wait, there's more!

A set of specialized NPCs of various ranks are made. They are extremely special because (drumroll) they have been bitten by the bunnies (who now became vicious and are similar to zombies), and are now gone mad, serving the Bunny king. These are basically made to be "Open NPCs," which is to say, other players can take up and act as these NPCs at will, crashing into any out-of-village topics (With, of course, limitations on what rank NPC can be brought into what sort of topic, varying on the number and rank of the PC members in-topic; one lone genin, one C-rank infected, two genin, 2 C-rank infected or 1 B-rank, you get the idea).

Players have the added challenge of dealing with what are basically shinobi-bunny-zombies while out in the field there are also bunnies lurking in bushes, just waiting to take over the universe, and other players can run the gauntlet as these infected NPCs to earn funds (NOT exp or MP) for their own characters. The overall world plot-line becomes based around either finding a cure for or eradicating these infected, and trying to find a way to stop the evil mastermind bunnies in their mission to conquer the world.

So basically, a bunny-zombie apocalypse.

I used your suggestion as a template! I think this could turn out to be a very good plot ^

Age : 31 Posts : 8965

Can I just say that it's so funny that this topic was made when it was, I was waiting on a PM from somebody before I started writing something up to get a 'cold war' sort of thing started and now people are asking for it. Makes me feel even more excited to get it going. :3

Posts : 18

I know I'm new and my opinion doesn't have a lot of weight, but I was thinking that the villages crossing paths by accident would be a cool idea.

Like, let's say the followers of Jashinism(Hidan's religion) have somehow become more organized and are conducting murders in the minor nations near the villages. Ninja from each village are sent down to deal with this problem and cross paths while figuring out these murders.

The followers of Jashinism could all have forbidden, unreal powers like Hidan's immortality, and they could be rped as npc's by the more experienced players.

I think it would have a lot of character developement potential, with topics like murder, religion etc.

Age : 49 Posts : 1036

Adam wrote:: Can I just say that it's so funny that this topic was made when it was, I was waiting on a PM from somebody before I started writing something up to get a 'cold war' sort of thing started and now people are asking for it. Makes me feel even more excited to get it going. :3

How about getting excited enough to finish this? Its been 5 months since started and still haven't wrapped up what was supposed to be the first half...

Age : 30 Posts : 1012

Well, I'm happy my idea was some what taken into thought :3

Age : 32 Posts : 787

I personally believe that this sort of thing should be developed by rpers IC by character driven plot rather then something knitted together and thrown at the forum by the staff or anyone for that matter.

From experience, this really doesnt work well when it is sanctioned as an event by the staff. With it being driven and devloped by characters through RP and development, the members have a lot more vested into it and are more likely to see it through. When it is an event like creation of someone, it is something that will flair at first and then fizzle towards the middle long before it is completed because it will lose excitement.

Age : 28 Posts : 2538

Saint wrote:: I personally believe that this sort of thing should be developed by rpers IC by character driven plot rather then something knitted together and thrown at the forum by the staff or anyone for that matter.

From experience, this really doesnt work well when it is sanctioned as an event by the staff. With it being driven and devloped by characters through RP and development, the members have a lot more vested into it and are more likely to see it through. When it is an event like creation of someone, it is something that will flair at first and then fizzle towards the middle long before it is completed because it will lose excitement.

Age : 29 Posts : 3145

Saint wrote:: I personally believe that this sort of thing should be developed by rpers IC by character driven plot rather then something knitted together and thrown at the forum by the staff or anyone for that matter.

From experience, this really doesnt work well when it is sanctioned as an event by the staff. With it being driven and devloped by characters through RP and development, the members have a lot more vested into it and are more likely to see it through. When it is an event like creation of someone, it is something that will flair at first and then fizzle towards the middle long before it is completed because it will lose excitement.

If we're still talking about a war, then in order to get it developed through members we would have to have members do war-worthy things, which is usually going to other countries and killing. As much as we all like to talk big on the chatbox and tell each other just how easily we could kick said other person's ass, I dare you to come over to Konoha and try to kill NPCs or something of the kind. I would be more than happy to get myself and some members to come in to your topic and kill you. The annoying thing about this? No matter how many war-starting acts will happen IC or how many deaths may occur, without the Kages saying 'Yeah we're at war' it just simply isn't one officially. Each member represents a really talented, stand-out Shinobi from their village. Although we don't see it, without the support of a 1000 NPCs, it's just not a war - it's just a bunch of talented individuals acting really weird Razz

And it's much easier for the staff to give us a clear reason that a Kage then explains in a topic and we get behind.

Age : 30 Posts : 1012

The only thing that I have to say against people doing it IC. Is the current standings of the villages. For IC stuff to happen, each member has to be active, and lets be honest. The site has not been as active as it has been for about a week or two. People are losing Muse from waiting on approvals, or just waiting on posts.

Also, IC plots through members could take longer since they technically stick to their own villages. and who said that if/when staff does throw something together, that it would go in effect immediately. Maybe certain things have to come about in the villages before the plot even starts.

Plots between characters are usually personal, and most people choose to hide them until moments before they do them.

Age : 49 Posts : 1036

Saint wrote:: I personally believe that this sort of thing should be developed by rpers IC by character driven plot rather then something knitted together and thrown at the forum by the staff or anyone for that matter.

From experience, this really doesnt work well when it is sanctioned as an event by the staff. With it being driven and devloped by characters through RP and development, the members have a lot more vested into it and are more likely to see it through. When it is an event like creation of someone, it is something that will flair at first and then fizzle towards the middle long before it is completed because it will lose excitement.

Very much agree. That is a big part of the reason I suggested what amounts to a second set of set of more focused "generic" missions instead of a whole plot line. That way it's up to the players to do things and set the pace, prodded along by the stick of competition. Ideally the only "post" that the staff would (or should) make beyond their own characters would be a background piece describing the heightening of tensions between the different villages. The only real difference between some of the ones already listed and what I'm suggesting is that my versions would require 2 people on opposite sides so there is some sort of conflict.

Of course as you mentioned the hard part, and the one I can't find a way that most find acceptable, is getting people to commit to the thread then stay. That problem I have yet to solve and probably won't. Finding what didn't achieve that result here and other sites is fairly easy if you keep an open mind. Finding ideas that actually worked is much rarer.